Southampton - Faro, First Choice holidays

[skytravel]

Hi I saw that First Choice holidays are starting a new route from Southampton - Faro. On the First Choice booking website it said it was with air2000. Is this true? And if it is, which aircraft type will be used?

If it isn't air2000 does anyone know the airline that will serve this route?

Cheers

[BAe 146-100]

Hi,

Probably will be a A320 if the flight is operated by AMM.

BAe 146-100

[skytravel]

Yes I thought the A320 as well. But then again the 757 is operated by Britannia to Palma!! I suppose I will have to wait and find out if no one else knows lol :p

[chippy63]

Isn't the runway a bit short for a fully-loaded 757 or 320 on a hot summer day?

[skytravel]

I flew from Southampton on a 734 a few weeks back and it was about 75% pay load. So maybe yes it is too short for a fully loaded jet like an A320. But then, think about the extra thrust from the 757 engines. Maybe a 757 would be fine fully loaded, and Britannia never seem to have any troubles!

[BAe 146-100]

Hi,

The runway length of SOU is 1723m x 37m, that is probably too short for a fully loaded A320.

BAe 146-100 :)

[chippy63]

skytravel,
Yes, I agree with you on the 757. I quite often take a Sunday evening flight from Heathrow to Paris, often operated with a lightly loaded 757. The acceleration and take off are quite something.

[newswatcher]

I thought the t/o range for an A3xx was c1650-2500m, which puts SOU at a distinct disadvantage, since isn't the effective t/o length only 1650 metres?

Actually, skytravel First Choice tell me that they are no longer operating a SOU-FAO route. The plot thickens! :confused:

[skytravel]

newswatcher, well that is so surprising as they are still selling the holidays on the SOU-FAO route! How weird! This would be the first route from SOU for First Choice as well, commencing in May 2004...

Well at SOU we do have an Iberworld A320 operating to PMI and a Spanair A320 operating to Tenerife via Nantes. Although I have never flown on the A320 from SOU so i have no idea of pax levels. But on the B734 it was about 75% load factor.

[BAe 146-100]

Hi,

Why does the JKK Tenerife flight operate via Nantes?

BAe 146-100

[skytravel]

To pick up more fuel

[BAe 146-100]

Hi,

Do they pick up passengers at Nantes?

BAe 146-100

[skytravel]

Not that I'm aware of. The het is just a chartered service for Thomson and Airtours holidays I believe...

[MerchantVenturer]

skytavel

One of the Air Malta Tuesday flights from BRS to Malta has been coming via SOU this summer, presumably to drop off and pick up pax there. It then takes on a full load of fuel at BRS for the return to Malta. A bit ironic really when one considers that BRS's runway is only about 6,600 feet long.

I presume the equipment is a 737-300.

[kwimper]

In ISA conditions and calm wind a 757-200 can takeoff from 02 at about 98 tonnes and 20 at approx 96 tonnes - with typical ZFM of 81 tonnes full this leaves more than enough fuel for Faro, Palma etc.

[skytravel]

MerchantVenturer

Well I didn't know that about the Air Malta services! Yes the equipment is a B733

kwimper

Thats very interesting info. The 757 seems the best option then if AMM do take up this route...

[newswatcher]

Skytravel, well you know the "modern" corporation - left-hand/right-hand etc........

They have a "chat-room" facility on their site. I was asking them about something else, and "threw" your question in. "Estelle" told me that "we no longer fly this route". Perhaps they use a carrier other than Air2k.

[skytravel]

I guess that must be the case then lol

Oh well!

[Localiser Green]

Britannia are operating SOU-TFS this Winter with a 757-200 every Friday (positions in from LGW about 9-10am then positions back to Gatport in the evening).

If they can do TFS non-stop then AMM can do FAO with a 752 no sweat.

[skytravel]

Are you sure that it is a non-stop service? Great if it is lol

According to BAA's website that service is still operated by Spanair... and is the BY service on behalf of Thomson AND Airtours? If not maybe Airtours are chartering in the Spanair A320... Thanks for that Localiser Green, I didn't know!

[LGWAlan]

OK - had a chat with a mate that works for First Choice loading their system and the flight IS still on the system and is at the moment stil showuing with AMM as the carrier. Current timings are 1415/1645 outbound and 1045/1315 inbound - on Thursdays. First Choice do not have the full flight - according again to the internal systems.

[MARKEYD]

Would appear that Air Luxor are now operating this service with A320 not Air 2000 according to edition 2 of First Choice Brochure

[skytravel]

Cool Air Luxor?!!! That would be the A320 then, possibly the A319...